Black Music Month

posted by Ashley M -

Jun 13, 2017

Source: http://www.allmusic.com/

J. Cole, the first artist signed toJay-Z's Roc Nation label, was among the most commercially successful rap artists of the early 2010s. Born in Germany but raised in North Carolina,Jermaine Colegrew up with a mother who loved rock and folk, and a father who was a fan of hardcore rap artists like 2Pac andIce Cube.Cole's high-school grades earned an academic scholarship to attend St. John's University in New York City, whereColeknew he could make progress as a musician. After numerous days standing outside Jay-Z's office in hopes of giving him a demo, Cole finally ran into his idol, but the reception was well below chilly. He was shocked when, weeks later, he received a call from the man and even more shocked when he got a chance to contribute to his 2009 effortThe Blueprint 3. Later that year,Colereleased the mixtape The Warm Up, while 2010 saw the appearance of the Friday Night Lights mixtape, withColehandling most of the production.

In 2011, Roc Nation released his official debut,Cole World: The Sideline Story, which debuted on top of the Billboard 200. Featuring the single "Power Trip,"Born Sinnerfollowed in 2013 with guest appearances from Miguel, TLC, and Kendrick Lamar. Titled after the address of his childhood home, 2014 Forest Hills Drive continuedCole's streak of number one albums in 2014. Rather strikingly, the album did not feature any guest artists. By the timeColereleased his grim fourth album, the chart-topping 4 Your Eyez Only, in 2016, he had platinum certifications for all three of his prior full-lengths, ten charting Hot 100 singles as a top-billed artist, and three as a guest.